The Federal Reserve System's Beige Book provided a snapshot of economic conditions collected on or before Feb. 23. The survey, conducted by each Federal Reserve Bank, summarizes reports from banks and branch directors, plus interviews and online questionnaires completed by businesses, community groups, economists, market experts and other sources.
Economic News
China will maintain a supportive monetary policy stance to create a favorable monetary and financial environment for stable economic growth, high-quality development, and the smooth operation of financial markets, the central bank governor said on Sunday. Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People's Bank of China, made the remarks at the China Development Forum…
-The Federal Reserve voted Wednesday to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged, holding it in the 3.5% to 3.75% range for the second consecutive meeting as policymakers confront a murky economic landscape shaped in part by the expanding U.S. war in Iran. In its post meeting statement, the Fed said economic uncertainty remains elevated, noting that the full…
However, with spending lower year-on-year and increases in missed payments, the financial pressures that were a feature of the UK economy for the majority of 2025 have continued into the new year, requiring risk and collections teams to remain vigilant. Spending fell by 9.4% month-on-month to an average of £755; 1.8% lower than January 2025 this is a clear…
A bill advancing rapidly in the Iowa House would make a one-time tax increase on some health insurers and draw money from the Taxpayer Relief Fund to address the state's Medicaid shortfall. The bill would also include a $296.2 million transfer from the state's Taxpayer Relief Fund to account for state revenue declines caused by changes made through the…
The following information was released by the Federal Reserve Board:. The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced the execution of the enforcement actions listed below:. Former employee of Ally Bank, Sandy, Utah.
Another climb for oil prices sent the U.S. stock market sharply lower, as hopes collapsed for a possible cut to interest rates by the Federal Reserve. The S&P 500 fell 1.5% Friday to close its fourth straight losing week. Treasury yields jumped as traders speculated the Fed won’ t be able to cut rates this year because of how high oil prices have climbed.
Policy meetings will be held today at the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada, though neigher is expected to make any interest rate changes. The world's most important central bank, the US Federal Reserve, and the Bank of Canada, will be holding policy meetings today. Statements and forecasts will be watched as there is no expectation that either will make any…
DES MOINES— A temporary tax increase on some health insurers advanced by Iowa lawmakers would ultimately raise health care costs for employers and families already struggling with rising premiums, insurance industry officials and business advocates warned, arguing the burden will be passed directly on to consumers. The Iowa House approved the proposal…
—Another climb for oil prices shook stock markets on Friday, as hopes collapsed for a possible cut to interest rates this year by the Federal Reserve. Benchmark U.S. crude gained 2.3% to $98.32 per barrel. Treasury yields have been jumping on worries the war with Iran will cause a long-term spike in oil and natural gas prices that drives up inflation.
What's being proposed: a temporary tax increase on health insurers and additional withdrawals from a state reserve fund to offset impacts on the state's budget from federal tax cuts contained in the Republicans' "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act. House Democrats requested Wednesday's public hearing to give the public more time to weigh in on the proposal after it…
Monetary policy: Why are global central banks moving in different directions? In the case of the Federal Reserve, policy rates would reach a peak of~ 5.50%, a level last seen in the aftermath of the dot-com bubble, almost 25 years ago. This is further amplified by the current conflict in the Middle East, with some major world economies more dependent on Middle Eastern…
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren were joined by Banking Committee Senators Mike Crapo, Mike Rounds, Thom Tillis, John Kennedy, Bill Hagerty, Cynthia Lummis, Katie Britt, Pete Ricketts, Jim Banks, Kevin Cramer, Bernie Moreno, Dave McCormick, Chris Van Hollen, Raphael Warnock, Andy Kim, and Lisa Blunt Rochester in sending…
"As the Senate considers your nomination to serve as Chair of the Fed, it is essential the public fully understand the extent of any interactions or relationship you had with Jeffrey Epstein." Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, sent a letter to President Trump's Fed Nominee,…
This year's John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage is a tie between "the people of the Twin Cities, Minnesota" and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The announcement on the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum website commended the Fed chair for withstanding "years of personal attacks and threats from the highest levels of government.
The Federal Reserve is holding interest rates steady, due to uncertainty over the larger economic impacts of the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran. NPR has more here on the war's latest escalation: attacks on gas facilities in the Middle East. Frustration on the streets: A year ago, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu was facing criticism for acting too quickly on street projects…
Powell also said he would remain a member of the Fed board of governors until the Justice Department ends its criminal probe of his handling of renovations to the central bank's headquarters in Washington, D.C., along with his June 2025 testimony about the matter before the Senate Banking Committee. Powell confirmed in January that the DOJ sent him and the Fed…
According to news reporting from Santiago, Chile, by NewsRx journalists, research stated,“ We investigate how dissent in the Federal Open Market Committee is affected by structural macroeconomic shocks obtained using a medium-scale dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model.”. For more information on this research see: The Origins of Monetary Policy…
The crossover occurred in the second quarter of 2025, based on an analysis of Federal Reserve data going back to 1989.. The oldest Americans have seen their share of U.S. real estate wealth surge from around 16% in 2005 to roughly 26% in 2025. In dollar terms, Americans 70 and older held more real estate wealth than ever before in 2025, at over $12.5 trillion— up from…
